Session 21: MIST and Friends

General Summary

Meeting the Commander

The conversation with the Commander of MIST went better than I expected. The man is sharp, calculated, and intimidating in all the right ways. He agreed to lend us the resources of MIST to aid in our quest, primarily through a device he called the MAC-G. This little gadget, he explained, would allow us to "spend" the authority of MIST through tokens, summoning their strength for our cause. It felt strange to hold such influence in our hands, especially since we were technically outsiders to Aethoria’s inner workings.
During the meeting, the Commander informed us of increased activity from the Darkscale Syndicate, this time near Eastwind. Though we lacked concrete evidence tying them to Melkorion’s schemes, the mention of the Syndicate’s renewed efforts felt like a shadow creeping closer to our path. It raised too many questions and far too few answers.
The Commander, to our surprise, inducted us as Associate Members of MIST, further cementing our alliance. To bolster our strength, we gained two new party members:

• Paul Greatelf, a gnomish lawyer whose tongue is as sharp as any blade.

• Jim Craftsman, a dwarven artisan with hands so skilled they could probably carve statues from the wind.

We also set Jim to work on a project we’d been lugging around for what felt like an eternity—a prototype schematic for a lightning skiff. With the tokens from our new MAC-G and all of MIST’s resources, Jim assured us the skiff would be completed in just four nights.

The Scholar and the Stones

The Commander urged us to meet with Prime Scholar Galiene, someone who could shed more light on the Shadowstones and their elusive locations. It felt like a natural next step, though part of me was nervous about what we might uncover. The Shadowstones, pieces of Narthos' essence, hold more weight than we’re prepared to carry. Knowing more about them might make it easier to find them, but it might also bring more dangers to our doorstep.

Preparation in Illuminar

While Jim set to work on the skiff, the rest of us turned our attention to the city itself. Illuminar, the capital of Aethoria, is nothing short of breathtaking. Its streets are alive with the hum of trade, magic, and invention. Artifice meets elegance at every turn, and it feels as though the city itself could hold an endless supply of secrets.
We spent a couple of days shopping for new gear, skills, and provisions. Here, if you can imagine it, you can buy it—or at least something close. There’s a freedom in walking through such a place, knowing that its reach and wealth can supply whatever we need for the challenges ahead.

A Familiar Shadow

On the third day of our preparations, amidst the bustle of Illuminar’s shopping district, we were ambushed by a figure we thought we had defeated long ago—Sylor Darksteel, one of the Darkscale Syndicate's most fearsome enforcers. It was jarring, to say the least. Seeing Sylor alive—or was it undead?—struck a chord of unease. How did the Syndicate know we were here? Were we being followed?
Sylor, as always, proved a formidable foe. The fight was quick and vicious, with no room for error. We fought tooth and nail, refusing to give him the satisfaction of cutting us down. When the battle ended, this time, we made sure Sylor was truly down for good. The Syndicate will feel his loss, but I’m left wondering how many more shadows they’ll send to haunt our path.

Looking Ahead

We’ll soon regroup and head to the Prime Scholar for the answers we seek. Illuminar has been a whirlwind so far, but the looming weight of what lies ahead—Eastwind, the Shadowstones, Melkorion, and the growing threat of the All-God—hangs heavy over our every decision. For now, though, we’re still standing, and that’s a victory in itself.
Sera

Campaign

The New Dawnbreakers

Protagonists

Sunny Grannach

Brazen White Bulb Conquering Red Blossom

Dulb the Deckhand

Dulb's sheet

Level 13 Swashbuckler.

Health

/

Goq-Ixai

Report Date

04 Jan 2025